Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-04
INDUSTRIAL TOPICS.
Labor and Business News From all
Over the World What Brain and
Drawn are Doing Labor Quiet
Capital Rest less.

of tramps at time when there is such a
general prosperity throughout the coun-
try and such a demand for labor, skilled
and unskilled, is somewhat surprising,
but to those who are familiar with the
growth Of this peculiar class of people. |
They might be termed the American
Gypsy, but without the virtues and mer.
its OF the genuine article who seldom
rob, but who are IS sbrewd in a horse
trade as a Hebrew The attention OF
legislators is being directed 10 this evil,
and it is probable that the old laws enact
ed some seven or eight years ago will be
revived and supplemental legislation
enacted by which the evil will be kept
within moderate bounds if possible. A
sentimental feeling has prevented the en-
forcement of laws against tramps and
their depredalions.
The condition of trade throughout the
country is chronicled as excellent in
the leading trade and commercial jour
nails of the country. This does not mean
there are not an increasing number of
idle men, but this idleness is usual in the
winter season. The labor difficulties
will likely multiply next year, through
the heavy immigration that is threat
ened During the eleven months ending
November the immigrants who landed in
this country numbered S65, 900. just a
thousand day. The rumors which have
been spread in foreign countries of great
prosperity in America will probably dou-
bic this number next year.
If this is true. the labor unions will
have new difficulty to contend with, es-
pecially if it should turn out that there
would be less industrial activity in 1887
than 1896 Fortunately this is not prob
able
The only dark cloud in the sky which
eastern merchants and jobbcrs are saying
a good d cal about now is the competi-
ton for trade, which has been going on
by postdating bills. Bills bought now
are dated July LIST in many cases. This
! may bring trouble TO all concerned.
The agricultural interests of the north>
west are hoping for an advance in bread
stutfs, and the probabilities are they will
be gratifed. The foreign and American
demand will continue heavy according to
best foreign and home advices
The protectionists in congress are de-
lighted over the victories they have won
in fighting off the question of revenue
reform, but that question will come with
the force of great cyclone from the
great west before very long. A reduction
of surplus revenues is imperatively de-
manded, and will be brought about even
though it should take political revolu-
| ton to do it.
All through the New England and
middle States manufacturers of all kinds
of products including textile goods and
| hardware will run to their fullest capacity
from January first until spring. Their
orders and anticipations Justly this
course. The travelling agents will start
out early in January and the result of
their first three weeks trip will determine
whether an attempt will be made TO ad-
vance prices on spring deliveries.
The iron and steel industries have
gained remarkable strength during the
past thirty days. Rail makers have ;sold
four-ffths of next years production
Makers of all other kinds of iron and
steel have sold very largely. Prices are
still pointing upwards, and heavy i'm.
portauons are assured.
! The Knights of Labor have not gained
in the same proportion in strength as
the Trades Unionists. Several trades in
the Knights are demanding separate
charters by and under which they can
control their own affairs just as the
separate branches of Trades UniOuists
DO Builders and manufacturers are also
quietly organizing, and next year the
wOTkmen will find it not such an easy
matter to inaugurate or construct strikes
as they did in 1885.
The Knights will start an over all
factory at Elizabeth, \. j., and employ
one hundred persons. The farmers in
the southwest, and especially in Texas,
are endeavOring to co operate with the
Knights to procure protective legislation.
| Cooperation is also receiving much
attention in Texas as well as in some
parts of the northwest. A grand labor
fair will be held at Wheeling.
A State Assembly has been organized
at Indianapolis. The executive board,
of the Michis an state assembly, met on
January End.
Organized labor is recognizing the fact
that antagonism to capital and employers
is likely TO be productive of more harm
than good and the leading officers in both
organizations are endeavoring to create
and sustain more friendly relations. This
will be the policy for the coming year.
but there is strong and rather unruly
sentiment among the rank and file against
any such conservative action.
The spirit of combination has been
stimulated by the industrial activity of
the past four or five months. There is
scarcely an industry but that has COM
bination of some kind or other working
within it. Some of them are small and
| represent but low percentage of the
| capital invested in that industry. but they
are vigorously working in the direction
of controlling the competition which has
been depressing prices.
| The manufacturing interests through,
out the west are watching the
natural gas developments with no
small degree of interest. One COM
pany which owns 10000 acres of gas ter
ritory in Kentucky, has leased 10000
acres more, and is already producing 49,
100000 cubic feet day from the wells.
Fifteen more wells will be sunk as soon
as machinery can be had. The syndicate
will lay a sixteen-inch pipe across the
Ohio river, thence to Irontown and Gin
cinnatt.
There are 1856 firms 10 Michigan en-
gagged in salt manufacturing, operating
140 works, with an annual capacity of
over 100000 barrels Of salt.
The European raimakers have been sc
encouraged by the demand for rails ant
railway material that they have called &
meeting for the 18th of January TO reor-
ganize their old union, which was form
ed originally to keep prices. Large con
tracts are coming in from the Colonies
and Asia, and reorganization of the
syndcat is desired by nearly all.
Tbo 4o1poro opooraJ II, .ha Rnrm0nI